Family travel doesn’t have to drain your budget. With the right planning, a few strategic tools, and a flexible mindset, you can create memorable experiences without sacrificing comfort or spending a fortune. From flights and accommodations to meals and activities, here’s how to keep costs down while keeping the fun up.
Book early and travel during shoulder season
One of the best ways to save on family travel is to book as far in advance as possible—especially for school break periods. Flights and hotels tend to spike closer to the departure date, particularly for family-friendly destinations. If your schedule allows, aim for shoulder seasons (spring and fall) when prices are lower, crowds are thinner, and the weather is still pleasant.
Use tools like Google Flights or Hopper to set alerts and monitor pricing trends across multiple airlines and dates.
Use cashback apps to earn on essentials
Cashback platforms like Ibotta, Rakuten, and Fluz help you save money on everyday travel expenses. Whether you’re buying travel snacks, booking hotels, or grabbing gear at retailers like Target or CVS, these platforms return a portion of your purchase to your wallet.
For example, if you’re booking accommodations, you can get rewards with a Hotels.com gift card via Fluz. If you’re flying Southwest, you can earn cashback with a Southwest Airlines gift card—perfect for group travel where every ticket adds up.
Stay in places with kitchens and extra space
Hotels can get cramped—and expensive—when traveling with kids. Booking a vacation rental through platforms like Vrbo or Airbnb gives your family more room to spread out, plus access to a kitchen. Cooking even one or two meals a day can save hundreds over the course of a trip.
Look for free and low-cost activities
Museums with free admission days, public parks, and beach days are all wallet-friendly ways to keep kids entertained. City tourism websites often list free events and cultural festivals. Some cities even offer free walking tours or family-focused scavenger hunts that cost little to nothing.
Check out attraction passes like Go City if you plan to hit multiple paid activities. Just be sure the math adds up compared to paying individually.
Bring your own essentials
Snacks, refillable water bottles, and activity kits for planes or road trips can help you avoid overpriced airport food or convenience store splurges. Don’t forget chargers, medicine, or sunscreen—all of which are more expensive if purchased on the go.
Leverage loyalty and family travel perks
Airlines like Southwest allow free checked bags and have no change fees, which can be a big win for families. Many hotel programs like Hilton Honors or World of Hyatt offer point redemptions for suite upgrades or free nights after just a few stays.
Enroll in free loyalty programs and stack those points with cashback earnings from apps like Fluz for the best possible savings.
Final thoughts
Traveling as a family doesn’t mean you have to overspend. With a little research, strategic booking, and the smart use of cashback and rewards programs, you can stretch your budget and still enjoy meaningful, exciting trips together.
